Broncos Athletics

Broncos Win Inaugural Rivalry Series Against San Jose State

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- After dominating performances from its fall sports teams that captured five straight wins to open the season, the Santa Clara University athletic department won the inaugural Rivalry Series against San Jose State by a score of 20-10.

The Rivalry Series between the two schools was announced last fall and begun for the 2002-03 season. The annual winner of the series, presented in association with the San Jose Sports Authority, is determined by a points system based on head-to-head competition in the 13 sports in which the two schools compete. The winner of each sport receives a predetermined number of points for that particular school.

"We are really pleased to have won this year's inaugural rivalry series competition," said Santa Clara Director of Athletics Cheryl L. Levick. "We have had a great year on the field and winning this series certainly gives our community bragging rights for the next 12 months. The formation of this series has increased interest in the athletic rivalry between Santa Clara and San Jose State and we look forward to another healthy competition next season."

Santa Clara jumped out to a 13-0 lead after winning head-to-head competition against the Spartans in volleyball, men and women's cross country and men and women's soccer during the fall season. The Broncos also knocked-off San Jose State in women's basketball, softball and women's tennis during the season to earn a total of 20 points in the series.

The Spartans got on the board after claiming a dramatic 71-69 win in men's basketball then managed victories in baseball, men's golf and women's water polo. The four wins gave SJSU 10 points in the series.

Each year at the conclusion of the college athletic season, the winner of that year's "Rivalry Series" will receive a rotating trophy bearing the inscription of the annual winner. The winning institution will retain possession of the trophy for a period of one year, until the award presentation of the following year.

Santa Clara and San Jose State compete against each other in 13 sports including: baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's golf, men's and women's soccer, softball, women's tennis, women's volleyball and women's water polo.

Up-to-date points totals, competition schedules, news related to the series and a complete description of the rivalry series are located on each school's official athletic website: www.SantaClaraBroncos.com and www.SJSUSpartans.com.